The senior American official stressed that Hamas did not give any opportunity and refuses any expansion of the warfare

Washington: Ali Barada

In an exclusive interview with "Al -Sharq Al -Awsat", the US Secretary of State Assist for the Near East, Ambassador Henry Woster, confirmed his country's support for "humanitarian guidance" in order to deliver humanitarian aid to more than two million civilian civilians in Gaza, at the same time, refusing to grant " Hamas, “Any opportunity to remain“ a list of an armed terrorist organization and continues to launch terrorist attacks ”against Israel.

Woster, an experienced American diplomat partly descending from Iraqi origin and a long work in the Middle East, was speaking about what appeared to be a propaganda campaign by the administration of President Joe Biden to clarify aspects of its policies and stances related to war, so he confirmed that American officials understand people's pain and suffering due to the fall A large number of civilian victims, and they do not give Israel a "check on white (...) to throw a devastating ball on the entire Gaza", refusing sharply what he called "false division" in accusing the United States of "not appreciating the lives of the Palestinians, as it does for life The Israelis are eggs. ” He said, "We are not so at all."

At a delicate diplomacy, Ambassador Woster considered that it was "not fair" to suggest that the United States stands on the "wrong side of justice" in its position that is clearly biased alongside Israel. But he stressed that American officials do everything in their power to prevent the widening of the war and the "weakening" of those who seek to do so.

He focused on the fact that the most important concern is "removing harm from people and delivering aid", similar to "normalization and complementarity" in the Middle East to the line "that we followed in Europe after the Second World War", avoiding "any speculation" regarding a possible role for the United Nations regarding Peace and normalization in the Middle East.

Here is the text of the dialogue ...

* Allow me to start by saying that Minister Blinkin is leading American diplomatic efforts to deliver a direct message, that the United States wants to continue to defend Israel, with more humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. But I hear many voices from the world, from the United Nations, and from the region demanding the cessation of killing. when? What is the type of humanitarian truce that the United States can accept?

- Maybe I heard the president speaking publicly yesterday, I think he was on his way to Minyabolis (Minnesota). And he said; We support humanitarianism. But the matter did not require the president to say that we support the safety and dignity of human life from the moment this conflict began. But the puzzle, if you will, here. We often receive a question about the humanitarian truce and the ceasefire, does they not mean the same? The answer is; no. There is a difference here. I would like to stop for a moment, if you do not mind, to explain this difference. 

The ceasefire matters to many people, especially those who may not have studied some nuances in diplomatic expressions. Think well, what sermons you? Why don't you support the ceasefire? We are concerned about the ceasefire, it is not related to our desire to extend the war, or to see more harm "to" another innocent person, regardless of his background, whether Palestinian, Israeli or from a third country. But what worries us is that we cannot bear a return to Statco (previous). 

This means that Hamas remains an existing terrorist organization and continues to launch terrorist attacks. This is what cannot continue. For this reason, we do not want a ceasefire, as this will allow fighters to re -equip, arm and form themselves. This is the difference. But the human truce allows for a temporary period of time, if you will, to stop the fire, allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid from medicines and water, and the exit of people - God willing - from there. We are absolutely nevertheless. This is the difference that I wanted to make sure.

Do not tolerate "Hamas"

* But at the same time, there are killings. Is the United States ready to call for the cessation of the killing of civilians in the thousands? Also, she says that you do not want to return to what we were before the last October 7, but some warn us today that what is happening on the ground will lead to the strengthening of "Hamas" and other terrorist organizations, or what you want from other names, and will also remain from Forgiveness for generations. What are you saying?

- Whatever it is said, I would like to repeat what we said to Israel, and what you heard from the public statements that you mentioned, I mean Minister Blinkin. This is a point that we reiterate again and again, that every sovereign actor, and every person has the right to defend himself. This is an authentic basic right. But at the same time there is no white check on how to manage the war. So, there is discrimination, and this should not be understood as an absolute authorization to do everything you do, and that it is just a devastating ball that you throw on the entire Gaza. This is not our position. Again, our position is that "Hamas" cannot continue, and you cannot ask a country to tolerate this. Hamas is not as "Hamas". In this case, it is about Israel, but you cannot do so because you will not ask the United States to say; Well, let's make ISIS on your borders. We will not tolerate this. We only will not do that. But again, how? What do we do about that? We had these talks. We were very public on this position regarding our external policy.

We try to understand

* I left the assistant minister (Barbara Lev) to the region to discuss the future of Gaza after this war. Can you highlight this work you do in the United States?

- Assisting Minister Lev continues without all its diplomatic activities in the region. Sometimes I joked with her that there is more than here. It is very correct that diplomacy is intense here. I want to be clear with your audience, and also with you, that the absence of a solution is available in your hands, or on demand, does not mean and should not be understood at all that it is lack of interest, or indifference in any case. Once again, I only return to your question about the suffering of people. The return of Minister Lev "its goal" is to listen to what leaders and peoples in the Arab world say, as well as in Israel, of course, so that we are able to make sure that we in Washington understand what is going on on the ground . Of course, our embassies, ambassadors, and teams also do so. After that, of course, we also have these conversations with foreign leaders who come to Washington.

False division

* How do you respond to the Arabs who say that the United States does not appreciate the lives of the Palestinians, as the lives of Israelis estimate the white?

I think this is a false division, I know it is a false division. The simple fact is that we are all human. We are all human beings, whether we are American diplomats abroad, or to serve here in Washington. We suffer just like you. We get sick and die. We have family members, and we have children. We have brothers and sisters. Each of us has lost members of his family because of everything, from illness, to accidents, to tragedies. We know what is the feeling of pain and suffering. And we do not wish that to anyone. We do not wish this to the Palestinians. We do not wish this to the innocent Israelis. Therefore, we are not at all.

* So, you are not concerned that the United States may be on the wrong side of justice?

What worries me is the perception that the United States is taking the position I just mentioned in your previous comment, because it is not true. It is wrong. It is a wrong narrative. not correct. Who did diplomacy to obtain the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza? from? The United States, which - before the start of this conflict, was defending the two -state solution. Who is the head of state who was doing that? President Biden was honest in his speech throughout his administration, and this is the position of the United States, in which we support the two -state solution. We had these difficult talks, including talks that are not always, as you know, we do not share our diplomatic talks in the public space. We were doing that, and we are still doing that, and I think the accusation is clear, comes from those who are not good. This is also unfair.

How to fight war

* I ask these difficult questions because we are facing them. I hear it every day. So, excuse me ...

- You don't have to do that. I spent many years in the Middle East before I reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was living there, so I understood that you should ask difficult questions. We appreciate freedom of expression, transparency, and all that you do in the press.

* And I can appreciate that. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern that what happened in Jabalia Refugee Camp can rise to war crimes. Please comment.

As I said before, how to fight war is important. There are assurances from every country we work with, including Israel, that whenever we work with it, especially in providing any kind of military assistance, they must provide us with assurances. This is a requirement under American law to provide any assistance.

More pain

* What efforts made by the United States to contain any potential expansion of the conflict in Gaza, whether to the West Bank, to Lebanon or Syria, even Iran?

We are making every effort because we do not want this conflict to expand. We do not want a greater conflict. Why? For all the reasons that seem clear to your readers, because expanding the conflict outside Gaza, to the region, will only lead to more pain, more suffering, and more instability. We make every effort, including with everyone, to make sure they understand that this is not what we seek here. But at the same time, if they choose to walk on this way, we will make every effort to weaken their efforts.

Normalization and integration

* My last question, may I ask you, how the United States still seeks to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians and normalization between Israel and the Arab countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?

- Well, today, while we and you sit here, and talk, the most important topic is the conflict with "Hamas" and the innocent in Gaza. This is the most important topic in the minds of everyone, keeping harm from people, and delivering aid. This is the basic image. With regard to the broader issue, that is, normalization, integration, etc., this regional integration as long as it was a long -term goal for our diplomacy, in fact for generations and generations, not only in the Middle East, but this is what we followed in Europe after the Second World War as well, as a plan Marshall, etc., which brought us to the European Union. Therefore, we are completely aware of this. We do not want to lose sight of it, but now, this is the most important issue. We keep it alive. Therefore, I don't want you to think we have set it aside. Because we did not. But again, the first issue is to remove harm from people, deliver aid to people, put an end to this conflict and make sure that it will not expand ...

* Do you see any role of the United Nations? Or do you continue to do this as Americans?

As an American diplomat, it is not my role to speak on behalf of the United Nations ...

* I meant; Do you expect any United Nations role?

- I will not speculate on that.